In a survey conducted by the International Professional Security Association (IPSA), over 220 buyers of security services responded to a series of questions about the future regulation of the UK’s security industry.
98.7% of respondents wish to see the industry remain regulated, with an overwhelming majority (80.8%) preferring regulation of both security companies and security personnel.
The survey – conducted by IPSA as part of its membership of the Security Alliance and sponsored by Impellam Support Services – had the support of both the Institute of Facilities Management and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.
Indeed, 26.3% of respondents were from the FM and logistics sector, with a further 12.1% coming from local Government.
The survey also reveals that 89.7% of security buyers believe that now is the time to introduce the licensing of in-house security personnel. Such personnel are, of course, currently exempt from licensing and not included in future licensing plans.
Views of security buyers “essential”
Speaking on behalf of IPSA’s International Council, Paul Trendall said: “We’re very pleased to see that the people who buy security services share the same views on future regulation that we’ve been supportive of on a consistent basis.”
According to Trendall, eliciting the views and opinions of buyers was “essential” from IPSA’s point of view. “Without security buyers, there is no security industry,” he stressed.
Trendall went on to state: “We were surprised, though, at the strength of feeling about in-house licensing. Having been left out of the original legislation, it has been a Cinderella issue ever since.”
He continued: “It’s now clear that people buying security want a common licensing standard to dispel public confusion about who is licensed and criminality checked and who isn’t. With almost 90% in favour, and new primary legislation required in any event, there will never be a better time than the present to introduce the licensing of all security personnel.”
For the full survey results access the PDF document on the right hand panel of this page
